Remarkable Tech Summit 2023 Recap
I was thrilled to attend the 2023 Remarkable Tech Summit this October in sunny San Diego.
Remarkable is on a mission to create a world of opportunity, access and possibility for people with disability through investing in disability tech startups. Remarkable is the startup venture arm of Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, offering four programs in North America and internationally (Design-athon, Launcher, Accelerator, Scaler) to support the disability tech startup ecosystem.
Their annual Tech Summit brings together investors, entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, as well as accessibility and assistive tech experts. Attendees from around the world discussed how we can develop technology to improve the lives of people with disabilities, elevate disabled entrepreneurs and increase the accessibility of emerging technologies.
I joined a panel with Austin Hertell (Accessibility Program Manager, Google) and Steve King (Director, Atlassian Foundation), moderated by Joe Devon (Head of Accessibility, Future Monks, and founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day). We had a wide ranging discussion about whether accessibility needs to be rebranded away from compliance and toward innovation, how corporations can support disabled entrepreneurs and the importance of involving people with disabilities in the design process.
A highlight of the conference was getting to meet TDP Member Zuby Onwuta face to face! Zuby presented a lightening talk about his lived experience of inaccessibility as someone with low vision and encouragement to continue including disability in our definition of diversity, recognize that age tech is part of disability tech, step up allyship from non-disabled folks, and keep promoting disability representation in all areas of leadership.
Another highlight was hearing Elizabeth Nguyen of Village Capital and Regina Kline of Smart Job and Enable Ventures present on a newly released research report: Disability Innovation: Empowering the Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusion Around the World
The research analyzes the global landscape for disability innovation hubs, accelerators and entrepreneurial support organizations in the innovation sector working to support the next generation of inclusive technology start-ups and to close the disability wealth gap.
Additional investors and ecosystem supporters presenting at the conference were:
moaz hamid, mvmt ventures: On a mission to make technology more accessible, empowering, and inspiring to the people we serve
Irene Mbari-Kirika and Julius Mbura, inAble: Empowering Persons With Disabilities In The African Continent
Diego Mariscal, 2Gether-International: The Leading Startup Accelerator for Disabled Founders
Minnie Baragwanath, Global Centre of Possibility: New Zealand based, globally-networked centre of Possibility leadership, design and innovation with the aim of creating a future that is truly accessible for all
Markeith Price, Move Progress: Fund for startups developing accessible and wellness technology solutions and strategic consulting firm
Five Remarkable Disability Tech Accelerator companies presented pitches in the Startup Showcase for a chance to win an additional $20,000 in funding.
Thane Hunt and Soniya Patel, Homind X: A grasping device for all day wear
Nicole Cuervo, Springrose: Comfortable, adaptive front closure bras
Kara Allanach, SpineX: Technologies that improve the lives of people with neurological conditions
Dion Kelly, Possibility Neurotechnologies: Brain-computer interfaces to control external devices through thoughts
Brandon Biggs, XR Navigation: Inclusive and accessible navigation solutions
Souvik Paul, Aurie: A catheterization solution that’s designed for your freedom
Congratulations to Nicole Cuervo of Springrose for winning the Startup Showcase!
Additional disabled founders presenting at the conference were:
Charli Skinner, Soda: Helping impact-driven organisations design more inclusive and accessible health and wellbeing solutions
Elizabeth Chandler, The Good Robot Company: Here to make sure your AI is bias-free for us and future generations
Matt Pierri, Sociability: Helping disabled people find accessible places
A big thank you and congratulations to Pete Horsley, Molly Levitt, and the entire Remarkable team for including Tech Disability Project and hosting an important and unforgettable gathering. These spaces are too few and far between and I savored every moment of of this accessible and inclusive space!
